The title race was crackling away nicely already but Barry Ferguson grabbed a Jerry can and launched some petrol on the flames ahead of this weekend’s crunch return.
The Rangers legend asked in his Record Sport column yesterday if Celtic have the bottle to go all the way as Ange Postecoglou’s men look to use their six point lead to seal the deal.
But Hoops fans hit back and Martin Leggat emailed : “Thank you very much Barry. What an inspiration to Celtic.
“ Celtic lose one match to Rangers and we get, ‘Have you got the bottle?’
“These comments will be on the dressing room wall.”
Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, said: “It's wishful thinking on Ferguson’s part questioning Celtic’s bottle.
“Don’t worry Bazza, you won't be hearing any crashing on Sunday.”
Gerry Kelly emailed : “Questioning Celtic’s bottle? May I remind Rangers fans, they have won one game against us and celebrated it like they won the league.
“If they win the Scottish Cup it will be two trophies in how many years? Don't worry about Celtic, ask yourself if your team has the bottle to keep up.”
John Robertson, via email, said: “Barry Ferguson talking about bottle just reminded me about the bottle incident at Ibrox with Joe Hart.
“What’s happened to the SFA? Do they not dish out any punishment for that or has it been brushed under the carpet?”
Rangers get the chance to cut the gap today after their clash at Motherwell was moved forward 24 hours to help prepare for Leipzig next week.
Stuart McLeod emailed : “A big thanks to all who supported a fixture change to allow Rangers an extra day's preparation for an important European semi final.
“If Rangers were to make the final the whole of Scottish football will benefit.
“Thankfully for Rangers, Peter Lawwell stepping down has helped people see the bigger picture as there would be no chance of this happening when he was calling the shots.”
There’s still bickering over the officials in the Old Firm Scottish Cup encounter last weekend.
Arrin Geddes, Irvine, said: “Rangers 100 percent deserved to go through to the cup final but Chris Lowe is telling Celtic fans to get over it whilst quoting incidents from nearly three years ago.
“Rangers fans and irony? Keep it coming Chris.”
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: “Celtic supporters are doing their usual and trying to ramp up the pressure on referees for the run in.
“They didn't turn up in the Scottish Cup, were embarrassed in Europe by salmon fishermen and you can smell the fear for the run in.
“Blame everyone else for their own incompetence. Look out for a spate of controversial decisions coming their way.”
Meanwhile Mick Gray emailed with a bold claim, as he said: “After recent performances it’s clear to see why Stevie Gerrard signed John Lundstram.
“Rumours now that Gerrard is looking to buy him for villa at £25m if stay up and it’s a way of apologising for leaving.”
Finally, a warning for any new Hibs gaffer as Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, said: “Hibs will struggle to attract any top coach with pedigree, as they can't , or won't , pay top wages to recruit management or playing staff.
“Even Aberdeen paid bigger wages for Belgian kid Vicente Besuijen.”
